The first three minutes of The Last of Us: Left Behind revealed

Have you ever been more excited for downloadable content than you are for The Last of Us' Left Behind? I mean, it's certainly warranted given the numerous Game of the Year awards The Last of Us received in 2013.

Adding to the anticipation, Sony has released the opening cinematic for the upcoming DLC. The nearly three minute clip introduces Riley, Ellie's older and "arguably wiser" friend, who has returned after being away for 46 days. What's more, Riley is now a member of the Firefly resistance group.

Left Behind acts as a prequel "of sorts" to the main campaign in The Last of Us. It explores the relationship of Ellie and her best friend Riley as they attend a military boarding school in the Boston quarantine zone. "Set before Joel and Ellie meet in The Last of Us, Left Behind will focus strongly on Ellie and Riley, adding intriguing new wrinkles to Ellie’s future relationship with Joel, as well as immersive details about the game’s decaying world," Sony promises.

Just watching this three minute intro, it's clear that story and character are going to be key in the upcoming DLC which is said to explore the themes of "survival, loyalty, and love." Man, I've missed the marvelous acting by Ashley Johnson as Ellie.